Question

jade   QUESTION: Hello,

I hope you can advise me about my plant. My jade has developed some kind
of disease- I thought it was powdery mildew but I am starting to doubt it. A
few days ago white powder appeared on most leaves (the plant is quite big). I
used a cloth with an insecticidal soap to wipe them off and the following
evening I sprayed the soap all over the plant. I repeated this procedure for 3
days. Unfortunately, there is no improvement - the  white powder comes back
looking grey-ish and there are now brown stains underneath it. The badly
affected leaves are turning droopy and about to fall off (it looks as if someone
cut them at the stem).

Is there something I can do about it?

Many thanks.

ANSWER: Polina,

STOP IMMEDIATELY WITH THE INSECTICIDAL SOAP! That can kill a jade as it clogs the leaf pores and if it is powdery mildew then insecticidal soap will do nothing. Powdery mildew is a fungal infection, not an insect. If it is powdery mildew you might try spraying it lightly with Lysol Spray, name brand or store brand doesn't matter, hold tha can at least 12- 18 inches from the plant.

The droopiness may be celllar collapse caused by the problem and the insecticidal soap clogging the pores of the plant. Jades are extremely sensitive to any insecticides. The only insecticide that I have ever successfully used on a jade without killing the plant is isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle mixed 50/50 with water. You might try spraying it with that ASAP and it might clean out the pores of the plant of the insecticidal soap so that part of the plant may be saved even if part of it dies. The parts that turn soft and mushy should be broken off back to firm tissue as soon as you discover they are soft. Seal them in a bag and put them in the trash to remove them from your property as soon as possible so the fungus does not spread further in the plant or to other plants. While the plant is sick do not water it until it has been very dry for at least a week then only give it 1/2 of the amount of water you usually give it and be carefull not to get water on the plant, only let it touck the soil. Keep the plant on the dry side and in a very sunny location indoors until the plant has started showing signs of new growth and no signs of this problem any longer. If you have any further problems feel free to write again. Good luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


roots   QUESTION: Dear Darlene,

Thanks for your reply. The soap I used has only natural oil in it (no chemicals) and it says it treats powdery mildew on the bottle. Either way, I cleared it off with the alcohol solution that you mentioned. I also took a cutting of my jade to a local plant store, and it seems the plant is suffering from root rot! In the process of repotting it I discovered that the bottom of the pot wasn't draining properly (possibly due to the potting mix and a clogged hole), and the soil at the bottom was very moist. This is terrible news since I have been watering it quite rarely- may be once every 2.5-3 weeks. I am not familiar with the way a rotting root looks like. The stems of the plant are green inside, but I am not sure if all the roots are rotten/ beyond saving or if I can still separate some stems for a new plant. The roots are mostly dark brown and there aren't too many of them (see the attached picture). So far, I have let the plant and the pot dry out. Should I take a chance and repot it in case my jade makes it?

Please advise!

Thanks,

Polina

Answer
Polina,

As long as the stems are firm and green I would repot it. Use a soil mix of half cheap potting soil, not the kind that has fertilizer in it or moisture holding pellets in it, and half builders sand that you can get at Lowes or Builder's Sguare. Make sure the new pot has a large drainage hole or 2 or 3 holes and cover them with plastic canvas that you can get at any craft store. The new pot should be no larger than the pot it is in now.

Then after repotting insert a bamboo shish kabob skewer into the soil all the way to the bottomm of the pot and cut it off just above the top of the soil. About 5 days after you watered the plant pull the skewer out and see if it is dry or moist. It it is dry down to the bottom 1-2 inches it is time to water the plant. If it is still moist higher than 2 inches wait 2 days and check again. Do not water until the plant is nearly dry.

Then keep your plant in a sunny location, that will help it recuperate faster. Good luck.

Darlene